Motorcycle

ABSTRACT

A motorcycle including a rear fender ( 40 ) having a plurality of attachment parts ( 51, 53 ) provided on a rear surface ( 43 ). The attachment parts ( 51, 53 ) are provided in left-right pairs. When attaching a plate member to the rear fender ( 40 ), the plate member is fastened to the rear fender ( 40 ) by passing a fastening member through a portion of the attachment parts ( 51, 53 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a motorcycle, and in particular, to a structure for mounting a plate member indicating information identifying the motorcycle.

BACKGROUND ART

License plates attached to motorcycles indicate information identifying the motorcycles. The plural kinds of the license plates have different shapes or mounted positions in different countries. A structure designed to mount these kinds of the license plates is disclosed in patent literature 1 below.

For the motorcycle disclosed in patent literature 1, the rear fender has a rear surface including license plate mounting portions, which define plural pairs of mounting holes. A license plate is attached using selected ones of the mounting holes suitable for the kind of the license plate.

The license plate mounting portions, which define the plural mounting holes to support left and right sides of the license plate, have complex structures protruding in left and right directions. To prevent vibrating of the license plate, the license plate mounting portions are desired to reduce vibration transmitted thereto. To meet such needs, the license plate mounting portions, which have the complex structures and define the plurality of mounting holes, need to be thicker enough to reduce the vibration.

A desirable rear fender is simply configured to reduce the vibration, as well as to allow for mounting different kinds of license plates for the different countries.

PRIOR ART LITERATURE Patent Literature:

-   -   Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2011-46302

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple configuration that reduces vibrations as well as allowing for mounting the different kinds of the license plates for different countries.

Solution to Problem

According to the invention defined in claim 1, there is provided a motorcycle comprising: a rear fender disposed on a rear part of a motorcycle frame of the motorcycle for preventing splash of muddy water as the muddy water is forced upwardly by a rear wheel of the motorcycle; fasteners disposed on rear surfaces of the rear fender and fastened to the rear fender; a lamp disposed above the rear fender for illuminating the rear surfaces; and a reflector disposed adjacent the rear surfaces for reflecting light from a rear direction of the motorcycle, wherein the rear fender includes a plurality of mounting portions, wherein the fasteners pass through any ones of the mounting portions and are fastened to the rear fender, wherein the rear surfaces comprise at least one left rear surface and at least one right rear surface when the rear surfaces are viewed in rear elevation, and wherein the rear fender includes a central portion recessed forward relative to the rear surfaces.

According to the invention defined in claim 2, the rear surfaces include opposite lateral outer ends spaced apart in a widthwise direction of the motorcycle, wherein the rear fender further includes: lateral surfaces protruding from the opposite lateral outer ends of the rear surfaces in a forward direction of the motorcycle; and depressions recessed from the rear surfaces to the lateral surfaces, and wherein each of the rear surfaces has a laterally opened U-shape.

According to the invention defined in claim 3, each of the depressions is provided between adjacent ones of the plurality of mounting portions when the depressions are viewed in rear elevation, the adjacent mounting portions being arranged vertically.

According to the invention defined in claim 4, each of the mounting portions has an oblong shape elongated in the widthwise direction of the motorcycle.

According to the invention defined in claim 5, the rear fender further includes a rearward protruding portion provided below the mounting portions of the rear fender.

According to the invention defined in claim 6, the mounting portions are provided in pairs, the number of the pairs being at least two.

According to the invention defined in claim 7, the rear fender further includes a lower mounting portion provided below the protruding portion, and the lower mounting portion selectively has a mounting hole formed therethrough.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As to the invention defined in claim 1, the rear fender includes the plurality of mounting portions. The fasteners, which pass through any ones of the mounting portions, are fastened to the rear fender. The mounting portions corresponding to a kind of a member to be attached to the rear fender have openings therethrough while the other mounting portions have no through-holes. The rear fender, which has the minimum number of mounting holes necessary for the attachment of the member, is highly rigid. Such a simple configuration of the rear fender reduces vibration, in addition to allowing attachment of different kinds of members for different countries.

The rear surfaces comprise the at least one left rear surface and the at least one right rear surface when the rear surfaces are viewed in rear elevation, and the rear fender includes the central portion recessed forward relative to the rear surfaces. The central recessed portion enhances rigidity of the rear fender, thus reducing the vibration.

As to the invention defined in claim 2, the rear surfaces include the opposite lateral outer ends spaced apart in the widthwise direction of the motorcycle, wherein the rear fender further includes: the lateral surfaces protruding from the opposite lateral outer ends of the rear surfaces in the forward direction of the motorcycle; and the depressions recessed from the rear surfaces to the lateral surfaces, and wherein each of the rear surfaces has the laterally opened U-shape. The depressions of the rear fender, which can receive projections on a back surface of a member, allows appropriate abutment of the member on the rear surfaces of the rear fender in attaching the member to the rear surfaces.

As to the invention defined in claim 3, each of the depressions is provided between the adjacent ones of the plurality of mounting portions when the depressions are viewed in rear elevation, the adjacent mounting portions being arranged vertically. When a member having projections on a back surface thereof is attached to the rear fender, the projections are positioned in place by insertion into the depressions. This facilitates the attachment of the member to the rear fender.

As to the invention defined in claim 4, each of the mounting portions has the oblong shape elongated in the widthwise direction of the motorcycle. The oblong mounting portion can have an opening formed therethrough over a wide range elongated in the widthwise direction. This allows positional adjustment of a member in the widthwise direction, thus facilitating attachment of the member. Additionally, the mounting portion allows different members to be attached to different positions in the widthwise direction.

As to the invention defined in claim 5, the rear fender further includes the rearward protruding portion provided below the mounting portions. The protruding portion can abut on and thus flex a member. This reduces vibration transmitted to the member.

As to the invention defined in claim 6, the mounting portions are provided in pairs, the number of the pairs being at least two. The selected mounting portions corresponding to a kind of a member have openings therethrough. Such mounting portions thus correspond to different kinds of members.

As to the invention defined in claim 7, the rear fender further includes the lower mounting portion provided below the protruding portion, and the lower mounting portion selectively has the mounting hole formed therethrough. A member can be attached to the lower mounting portion through a stay, which appropriately adjusts an angle of the member. The appropriately adjusted angle of the member allows the lamp to appropriately illuminate the member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left side elevation view of a motorcycle using a member mounting structure according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a left side elevation view of a rear fender shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rear fender shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the rear fender shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of main components of the rear fender shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a member used in Embodiment 1;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the member shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of the rear fender according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of the motorcycle according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken long line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a left elevation view of the motorcycle shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of a member used in Embodiment 2;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the member shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a rear elevation view of a rear fender according to Embodiment 2;

FIG. 16 is a rear elevation view of a motorcycle according to Embodiment 2;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a left elevation view of the motorcycle shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of a member used in Embodiment 3;

FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the member shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a rear elevation view of a rear fender according to Embodiment 3;

FIG. 22 is a rear elevation view of a motorcycle according to Embodiment 3;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 22; and

FIG. 24 is a left elevation view of the motorcycle shown in FIG. 22.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

As shown in FIG. 1, a motorcycle 10 includes a motorcycle frame 11, a power unit 21 pivotably suspended on a rear part of the frame 11, and a motorcycle cover 31 covering the frame 11.

The frame 11 includes a head pipe 12, a main frame 13 extending rearward and downward from the head pipe 12, and seat rails 14 extending rearward and upward from a rear end of the main frame 13.

The head pipe 12 has a bottom supporting a front fork 16L through a bottom bridge 15. The reference characters “L” and “R” as used herein are suffixes indicating the left and the right, respectively. A front wheel 17 is rotatably supported by the front fork 16L. A handle 18 for steering the front wheel 17 is disposed on a top of the head pipe 12. A rider's seat 19 is disposed above the seat rails 14.

The power unit 21 includes an intake cleaner 22, an exhaust muffler 23, and a rear wheel 24 as a drive wheel. Left and right rear cushions 25 are disposed between the power unit 21 and the pair of the seat rails 14 for absorbing impact.

The motorcycle cover 31 includes a front cover 32 covering a front side of the head pipe 12, a main frame cover 33 covering an upper side of the main frame 13, a side cover 34 covering opposite lateral sides of the main frame 13, and a rear cover 35 covering the set rails 14. A front fender 36 covers an upper side of the front wheel 17, and a rear fender 40 covers an upper side of the rear wheel 24.

A plate member 60 indicating information identifying the motorcycle (hereinafter referred to as “vehicle 20”) is disposed on the fear fender 40.

The rear fender will be discussed. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rear fender 40 includes a horizontal portion 41 extending generally horizontally, and a rear hung portion 42 extending from a lower part of the horizontal portion 41 in a downward and rearward direction. The plate member 60 is attached to rear surfaces 43 of the rear hung portion 42.

The horizontal portion 44 has a horizontal extension 44 extending in a rearward direction of the vehicle. The horizontal extension 44 is positioned at an upper part of the rear fender 40. The rear fender 40 has a lamp 71 disposed on a rear end of the horizontal extension 44 for illuminating the plate member 60. The rear fender 40 further has a reflector 72 disposed adjacent the plate member 60 for reflecting light from the rearward direction.

The rear fender 40 includes the left and right planar rear surfaces 43, 43 separated from each other, and lateral surfaces 45 projecting from the corresponding lateral outer ends of the rear surfaces 43 in a forward direction of the vehicle. It is to be noted that the lateral outer ends of the individual rear surfaces 43 are spaced from each other in a widthwise direction of the vehicle. The lateral surface 45 is angled relative to the rear surface 43. A depression 46 is formed adjacent a lateral outer edge of the rear surface 43. The depression 46 is recessed from the rear surface 43 to the lateral surface 45. The plate member 60 is attached to the left and right rear surfaces 43, 43. The depression, or recessed portion 46, which is formed at an end portion of the rear fender 40, facilitates the attachment of the plate member having projections on the back surface thereof. This enhances the workability.

Although the recessed portion 46 is provided at an outer end of each of the left and right rear surfaces 43, the recessed portion 46 may be provided on any portion of each rear surface 43, and further be plural in number.

The rear hung portion 42 has a rearward protruding portion 47 provided at a vertical middle thereof. The plate member 60 may be large-sized enough to abut on the protruding portion 47.

Provided between the left and right rear surfaces 43, 43 of the rear fender 40 is a central portion 49 recessed forwardly relative to the rear surfaces 43, 43. The rear fender 40, which has the recessed central portion 49, has an increased rigidity sufficient to reduce vibration of the rear fender 40.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rear fender 40 includes a plurality of mounting portions 51, 53 on the rear surfaces 43. Each of the mounting portions 51, 53, which is in the shape of an oblong hole elongated in the widthwise direction of the vehicle, is provided in a pair so that the left and right mounting portions 51 are arranged while the left and right mounting portions 53 are arranged. The plate member 60 (FIG. 2) is fastened to the rear fender 40 by a fastener passing through any ones of the mounting portions 51, 53. Provided below the protruding portion 47 is a lower mounting portion 54, which selectively has a mounting hole formed therethrough. The plate member 60 can be attached to the lower mounting portion 54 through a stay, which appropriately adjusts an angle of the plate member 60.

The one pair of the mounting portions 51 or 53 corresponding to the kind of the plate member 60 has holes formed therethrough for attachment of the plate member to the rear fender while the other pair of the mounting portions has no holes. The rear fender 40, which has the minimum number of the required mounting holes, is highly rigid. Such a simple configuration of the rear fender 40 reduces vibration transmitted to the rear fender 40.

The recessed portion 46, which is provided near the plurality of the mounting portions 51, 53, achieves an increased rigidity of the surroundings of the mounting locations of the rear fender 40 to which the plate member 60 is attached. This reduces vibration transmitted to the plate member 60.

The mounting portions will now be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting portions 51, 53 on the rear surface 43 of the rear fender 40 are positioned in correspondence to different attachment portions of different kinds of plate members. The first mounting portion 51, which is oblong, or elongated in the widthwise direction when viewed in rear elevation, is positioned proximate the lateral outer edge of the rear surface 43. The second mounting portion 53, which is oblong, or elongated in the widthwise direction when viewed in rear elevation, is positioned below the first mounting portion 51. The mounting portions 51, 53 are oblong in the above embodiment. Alternatively, the mounting portions may have other appropriate shapes such as circular shapes in correspondence to the kind of the plate member.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first mounting portion 51 has a diameter D1. The second mounting portion 53 has a diameter D2. The diameter D2 is smaller than the diameter D1 (D2>D1). The rear fender 40 has a thickness T1. The mounting portions 51, 53 have thicknesses T2. In the above embodiment, the diameter D2 is smaller than the diameter D1 (D2<D1). Alternatively, the diameters D1, D2 may be appropriately set in correspondence to the kind of the plate member 60, so that, for example, the diameter D1 is smaller than the diameter D2 (D1<D2). In the embodiment, the mounting portions 51, 53 have the same thickness. Alternatively, the mounting portions 51, 53 may have their thicknesses appropriately set in correspondence to the shapes or sizes of the mounting portions 51, 53.

The rear fender 40 is formed by injection molding. The mounting portions 51, 53 have mounting holes 55 a, 55 c partially formed therethrough. The mounting holes 55 a, 55 c are made using different cores placed in a mold during the injection molding.

The attachment of the plate member will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the plate member is a license plate 60 a indicating information identifying the vehicle.

The license plate 60 a includes a rectangular, flat plate portion 61 a indicating a line of letters, and an edge portion 62 a reinforcing a circumference of the flat plate portion 61 a. The plate 60 a also includes a depression 63 a elongated in the widthwise direction and formed on an upper part of the flat plate portion 61 a. The plate 60 a further includes rivets 65 a disposed on left and right ends of the depression 63 a and protruding out of a back surface 64 a. The plate 60 a further includes through-holes 66 a formed above left and right portions of the depression 63 a and elongated in the widthwise direction. The license plate 60 a has its length L1 and width W1.

As shown in FIG. 9, the mounting hole 55 a is formed on the rear surface 43 of the rear fender 40. The mounting portion 53 remains solid without defining any through-holes. This achieves an increased rigidity of the rear fender 40.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the license plate 60 a is fastened to the rear fender 40 by fasteners 68 a. The fastener 68 a, which passes through a washer 73 a, the through-hole 66 a of the license plate 60 a and the mounting hole 55 a of the rear fender 40, is tightened to a nut 74 a on a back surface 48 of the rear fender 40.

As shown in FIG. 12, the rivet 65 a protruding out of the back surface 64 a of the license plate 60 a is received within the recessed portion 46 of the rear fender 40. The recessed portion 46, which receives the projection or rivet 65 a on the back surface 64 a of the license plate 60 a, allows the license plate 60 a to be appropriately attached to the rear fender 40. Such a structure of the rear fender 40 allows for attachment of different types of license plates thereto. The license plate 60 a has a lower portion abutting on the protruding portion 47 of the rear fender 40.

Embodiment 2

A motorcycle according to Embodiment 2 will be described. The same reference numeral is used to denote the common element of the motorcycles in Embodiments 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 13, the plate member is a license plate 60 b indicating information identifying the vehicle. The license plate 60 b includes a rectangular, flat plate portion 61 b indicating a line of letters, and an edge portion 62 b reinforcing a circumference of the flat plate portion 61 b. The plate 60 b further includes through-holes 66 b formed above left and right portions of the flat plate portion 61 b. The license plate 60 b has its length L2 and width W2.

As shown in FIG. 14, a fastener 68 b, which passes from a back surface 64 b of the license plate 60 b through a nut 74 b and the through-hole 66 b, is secured to a pin covered with a cap 69 b disposed on a front surface of the license plate 60 b.

As shown in FIG. 15, the first mounting portion 51 (FIG. 9) of the rear fender 40 has the mounting hole 55 a formed therethrough using a core during injection molding. The rear surface 43 of the rear fender 40 defines openings all of which are the mounting holes 55 a. The mounting portions 53 remain solid without defining any through-holes. This achieves an increased rigidity of the rear fender 40.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the license plate 60 b is fastened to the rear fender 40 by the fastener 68 b. The fastener 68 b, which passes through a washer 73 b, the through-hole 66 b of the license plate 60 b and the mounting hole 55 a of the rear fender 40, is tightened to a nut 74 b on the back surface 48 of the rear fender 40.

As shown in FIG. 18, the back surface 64 b of the license plate 60 b is set on the rear surface 43 of the rear fender 40. The license plate 60 b, which covers and thus hides the recessed portion 46, achieves an improved outer visual appearance of the rear fender 40.

Embodiment 3

A motorcycle according to Embodiment 3 will be described. The same reference numeral is used to denote the common element of the motorcycles in Embodiments 1 and 3.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the plate member is a license plate 60 c indicating information identifying the vehicle. The license plate 60 c includes a rectangular, flat plate portion 61 c indicating a line of letters, and an edge portion 62 c reinforcing a circumference of the flat plate portion 61 c. The plate 60 c further includes through-holes 66 c formed above left and right portions of the flat plate portion 61 c. The license plate 60 c has its length L3 and width W3.

As shown in FIG. 21, the second mounting portion 53 (FIG. 9) of the rear fender 40 has the mounting hole 55 c formed therethrough using a core during injection molding. The rear surface 43 of the rear fender 40 defines openings all of which are the mounting holes 55 c. The mounting portions 51, 52 remain solid without being punched therethrough. This achieves an increased rigidity of the rear fender 40. The mounting hole 55 c, which has an oblong shape elongated in the widthwise direction, provides a longer range within which to attach the license plate 60 c (FIG. 19) to the rear fender. This allows positional adjustment of the license plate 60 c (FIG. 19) in the widthwise direction, such that the license plate is attached at the adjusted position. The oblong mounting holes allow the license plate 60 c to be attached at different positions arranged in the widthwise direction.

As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the license plate 60 c is fastened to the rear fender 40 by a fastener 68 c. The fastener 68 c, which passes through a washer 73 c, the through-hole 66 c of the license plate 60 c and the mounting hole 55 c, is tightened to a nut 74 c on the back surface 48 of the rear fender 40.

As shown in FIG. 24, the license plate 60 c is attached to the rear surface 43 of the rear fender 40. The license plate 60 c has a lower portion abutting on the protruding portion 47 of the rear fender 40. The abutment flexes the license plate 60 c attached to the rear fender 40. This reduces vibration transmitted to the license plate 60 c.

In the Embodiment, the plate member 60 is attached directly to the rear fender. Alternatively, the plate member 60 may be attached through a stay to the rear fender 40. When the plate member 60 is attached through the stay to the rear fender, an angle of the plate member 60 relative to the lamp 71 may be appropriately changed.

The three pairs of the respective mounting portions 51, 53 are provided throughout the Embodiments. Alternatively, the mounting portions 51, 53 may be provided in four or five pairs, and may have their shapes, sizes and positions appropriately modified. Although the Embodiments have been described as being applied to the motorcycles, the present invention is applicable to a saddle-ride four-wheeled vehicle (a four-wheeled buggy). The present invention may be also applied to a general-purpose small-sized vehicle.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is preferably applicable to a motorcycle including a rear fender and a license plate attached to the rear fender.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   10 . . . a motorcycle (vehicle) -   11 . . . a motorcycle frame -   24 . . . a rear wheel -   40 . . . a rear fender -   43 . . . a rear surface -   45 . . . a lateral surface -   46 . . . a recessed portion -   47 . . . a protruding portion -   49 . . . a central portion of the rear fender -   51 . . . a first mounting portion -   53 . . . a second mounting portion -   54 . . . a lower mounting portion -   60, 60 a, 60 b, 60 c . . . members (a plate member, a license plate) -   65 a . . . a rivet -   68 a, 68 b, 68 c . . . fasteners -   71 . . . a lamp -   72 . . . a reflector 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A motorcycle comprising: a rear fender disposed on a rear part of a motorcycle frame of the motorcycle for preventing splash of muddy water as the muddy water is forced upwardly by a rear wheel of the motorcycle; fasteners disposed on rear surfaces of the rear fender and fastened to the rear fender; a lamp disposed above the rear fender for illuminating the rear surfaces; and a reflector disposed adjacent the rear surfaces for reflecting light from a rear direction of the motorcycle, wherein the rear fender includes a plurality of mounting portions, wherein the fasteners pass through any ones of the mounting portions and are fastened to the rear fender, wherein the rear surfaces comprise at least one left rear surface and at least one right rear surface when the rear surfaces are viewed in rear elevation, and wherein the rear fender includes a central portion recessed forward relative to the rear surfaces, wherein the rear surfaces include opposite lateral outer ends spaced apart in a widthwise direction of the motorcycle, wherein the rear fender further includes: lateral surfaces protruding from the opposite lateral outer ends of the rear surfaces in a forward direction of the motorcycle; and depressions recessed forward from the rear surfaces to the lateral surfaces, and wherein each of the rear surfaces has a U-shape laterally opened by the depression, and wherein the mounting portions are formed integrally with the depressions.
 2. The motorcycle of claim 1, wherein each of the depressions is provided between adjacent ones of the plurality of mounting portions when the depressions are viewed in rear elevation, the adjacent mounting portions being arranged vertically.
 3. The motorcycle of claim 2, wherein each of the mounting portions has an oblong shape elongated in the widthwise direction of the motorcycle.
 4. The motorcycle of claim 2, wherein the rear fender further includes a rearward protruding portion provided below the mounting portions of the rear fender, and wherein the protruding portion protruding rearward beyond the rear surfaces, the fasteners abutting on the rear surfaces.
 5. The motorcycle of claim 2, wherein the mounting portions are provided in pairs, the number of the pairs being at least two.
 6. The motorcycle of claim 4, wherein the rear fender further includes a lower mounting portion provided below the protruding portion, and the lower mounting portion selectively has a mounting hole formed therethrough. 